Quick thinking Invicta Telecare operator saves man's life

Published by Barbara H for Invicta Telecare in Housing and also in Communities, Education, Environment, Health, Local Government

Quick thinking Emma Boyd’s actions saved a man trapped in a serious fire in Edenbridge and won her praise from the fire crews who rescued him.

Emma, an Invicta Telecare operator, was alerted by a call triggered by a smoke detector linked to a telecare alarm unit in the man’s house.  The unit allows operators to speak to the resident via a loud speaker and listen for any movement or sounds within the home. 

“Straightaway I could hear the smoke detector sounding in the property” said Emma, “I called out to the resident asking if there was a problem and was very concerned when I couldn’t get a response.  I could hear the television was on loudly in the background which suggested to me that the man was at home, so I decided to take immediate action.”

Emma made an emergency call to the Fire Service giving details about the property and how to gain access using a specially installed key safe which securely holds the key to the front door. This saves the emergency services vital time and prevents them from having to break the door down.  She also passed on important information about the man which is held on a secure system at Invicta.

Once she was reassured that the fire crew was safely en route she rang the man’s neighbour and carer to let them know about the fire.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus rushed to the scene arriving in time to rescue the man after finding him trapped inside his home by a serious fire. He was given oxygen therapy at the scene before being taken to hospital by paramedics.

Stuart Albon, Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s Risk Reduction Manager for West Group, said: “The fact that he suffered only minor injuries was due to the rapid response of our fire crews only made possible by Emma’s help on the night and her professional handling of the alarm call.”

The Fire Investigation officer who attended the incident said “The Telecare monitoring system and the fire call from them to our control was excellent and definitely saved this man’s life.”

Emma continued: “Although this was a dreadful experience for the resident, I am pleased that the outcome wasn't any worse thanks to the Telecare equipment in his property and the speedy reaction of the fire brigade.  I am very proud to have played a part in ensuring that he was rescued from his home in time, although I know that anyone of my colleagues would have done exactly the same.”  

Wendy Turner, Head of Invicta Telecare said: “This is another great example of how we work in close partnership with other service providers like the Fire Service and the benefits it can bring.  In this case it literally saved someone’s life.”

The man who is in his seventies is currently recovering in hospital. 

Last year Invicta handled over 1,291,120 alarm calls and over 98% of these calls were answered within a staggering 60 seconds.

Part of Circle – one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing - Invicta Telecare provides a comprehensive range of Telecare services to over 94,000 homes enabling vulnerable people, both young and old, to live safely, happily and independently in their own home.